The Effects of Civil Society Activism in Kenya
The civil society activism which comprises of different groups in Kenya, such as human rights groups, cooperatives, trade unions as well as the religious groups are rising now in the African region particularly in Kenya. This is to challenge the African authoritarian government to practice democratic laws specifically in Kenya and Uganda. The civil society is gathered in one arena in order to express their sentiments against the dominant African state’s unjust and poor governance. An emerging view of the civil society activism consists of religious ideas from the church sector and non-government organizations are aiming to liberalize their country from the authoritarian political condition. These people are already fed up with insurgencies, poverty, economic mismanagement and authoritarianism. And, Chazan (1992:282) noted that the development of civil society is widely prevalent now in Kenya in targeting to reduce the rampant abuses of state power. They want now government rulers to be accountable to their state power abuses as well as to establish successfully a foundation of stable democratic government in their country. In this regard, the impetus for the late democratic transitions in Africa has been traced to the growth and political activity of civil society across the continent (Ndegwa, 1996:2).
Furthermore, the Christian churches have been involved seriously in Kenyan democratization process for over a decade now. The Christian churches have been the center of the pressures for democratization of the African government. Subsequently, during this period of transformation in Kenya, the church has the mainstream sector of the society that demonstrate its willingness to reach out to the final goals and objectives of the civil society movement. The integration and construction of cooperation and solidarity of the various individuals has the ability to combine the both scared and profane resources in Kenya. However, the deteriorating socio-economic conditions gave the church even more legitimacy as it expanded the social and economic projects that it had instituted since the colonial period. Another factor that caused the church to become oppressive one party in Kenya is the fact that it remains the only available tool of expression of sentiments and dissatisfactions; as well as the urge for total reform in the country. In this relation, the church has all the right to protest when the rights and freedom of the people and the church is violated by anyone or even by the state. Correspondingly, the church has a special task to give voice to the voiceless groups of people. In the same way, it has the right to protect and rescue the victims of oppression. And, in order to do this successfully, the church must do political interventions.
(http://archive.lib.msu.edu/DMC/African%20Journals/pdfs/political%20science/volume7n2/ajps007002006.pdf)
On the other hand, the Grand Coalition Government (GCG) in Kenya has raisin with various debates and commentaries about the civil society’s ability to influence change and political advancement is often underestimated by the African government. In spite of the fact that people’s voices are already expressed in other African countries; but in Kenya, people are still muted and controlled by the political elite’s power. In view thereof, the Kenyan people should follow the successful human rights movements showed by Ghana, Sierra Leone and South Africa have been able to bring significant reforms in the African government in one way or another. As a result, Kenyan civil society can get support from the outside forces as well as can get inspirations from different international organizations in every part of the globe; but the question is, will the country continuously defiant in the long-road battle against insurgencies of the Kenyan authoritarian state. Nonetheless, many Kenyan citizens strongly believe that the coalition government despite of its many imperfections will transform into a better state because Kenyans want a total reform in their country. On the other side of the coin, the Kenyan government should also welcome the fact the it is a high time for it to find effective ways and means of reassuring the Kenyan citizens that the state is willing also to implement reforms for the benefits and advancements of the entire Kenyan population as well as of the country. The Kenyan government should show to the people its genuine interest to protect the national boundaries of the country and of the people. Civil society has been aware of the judicial condition that they have ever since in their country. The national and local peace movements and initiatives are springing up in every place. In the final note, the international media have been an impression that Kenya have been become passive population in the midst of poor management of their authoritarian government,; and the outside force that have made them now active in raising their voices is because of the help of the US ambassador to Kenya.
(http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/57383)
References:
(http://archive.lib.msu.edu/DMC/African%20Journals/pdfs/political%20science/volume7n2/ajps007002006.pdf)
(http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/57383)
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